In the final 34 seconds of the first half, Pomperaug converted a steal into a Morgan Manz layup, another steal into a Kasey Dean layup (plus the foul) and a Dean missed free throw into an offensive rebound and a Nicole Welton jumpshot.

From there, the floodgates opened even further and Pomperaug (20-1) emerged with a 55-36 victory, which advances the Panthers to Friday's SWC Final versus Lauralton Hall.

"That 34 seconds made a big difference," Keenan said. "That was a six-point swing and a big momentum shift."

The Bobcats, who head into States with a 17-4 record, earned a first-round bye and the No. 1 overall seed in the Class M tournament.

It's a number that the Bobcats aren't taking for granted.

"Everyone will see that we're No. 1 and they're going to be gunning for us," Martelle said. "Everyone wants to knock off the No. 1 team. So we're not being cocky about it or anything like that. We're excited that we're the top seed, but we're going to play just as hard as we would if we were No. 16."